PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Freshman shortstop Sierra Romero(Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) of the No. 12-ranked University of Michigan softball team won her fourth consecutive Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor, the conference announced today (Monday, April 15). Romero has taken home the weekly award six times in all during the first 10 weeks of the season.

The shortstop aided U-M's three-game series sweep over Michigan State over the weekend by reaching base in 10 of 14 plate appearances and scoring four runs. She belted grand slams in back-to-back games, giving her eight runs batted in for the series. Romero is just the fourth U-M player to hit three or more grand slams in one season, joining senior Ashley Lane(Escondido, Calif./Escondido), who had three in 2011, and former Wolverines Marley Powers (2008) and Samantha Findlay (2008).

In the three-game set, Romero batted 3-for-7 (.429) and was walked seven times, including three intentional walks. Her walk in the eighth inning in game two on Sunday (April 14) set up junior Caitlin Blanchard(Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) to knock in the game-winning run.

Romero leads Big Ten players in runs batted in (54) and total bases (117) and is tied for first in home runs (17). She ranks in the top 10 in several other offensive categories: runs scored (second, 46), walks (second, 31), slugging percentage (second, .893), hits (third, 54), on-base percentage (fifth, .524) and batting average (10th, .412).

The Wolverines will return to action with a Tuesday (April 16) doubleheader against Indiana beginning at 2 p.m. in Bloomington, Ind. The games will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.